Donaldson Torit UMA250 or Felder RL250?

[Albert Lee]

I have given up on upgrading my existing dust extractor, I will sell it and upgrade to a new dusty.

I can not decide if I should go for a Donald Torit UMA 250 or a Felder RL250.

They are both 5.5kw, UMA 250 has filter area of 244 sqft, Felder has filter area of 538 sqft.

For a UMA250, there is no need for a compressor, it has its own auto shaker motor to shake off the dust when switched off, has its own explosion relief panel (no need to hook up sprinkler), can place outside the shed in the weather, placing the extractor outside is my ultimate goal and its probably the best practice... my neighbour wont mind as I am in a semi rural area, I like the auto shaker and no need to hook up sprinkler.

Here is the fan curve of the UMA 250, G8 fan is 5.5kw.

Unimaster Fan.jpg

For a Felder RL250, it needs to hookup to a compressor (not a big deal I've got a 7.5kw hydrovane compressor but then I will need a dryer which is another cost), the Felder is designed to be used in door - occupy valuable shop space, my workshop is only 600 sqft.

The price for a RL250 here is $16k USD after tax. and a UMA 250 is $14k USD.

What does my fellow SMcreekers recommend?

[Jeff Duncan]

So if I'm reading correctly one system will do everything you want and cost $2k less than the other system which will not do everything you want? Soooooo what's the question again?

JeffD

[Albert Lee]

Hi Jeff I guess the question is that does the Felders extra filter area worth the 2k?

Also the Unimaster has an explosion relief panel, Donaldson Torit strongly recommends the unit to be placed outside, because if there is an explosion, the positive pressure may cause damage to my workshop. Probably a good thing but it just meant extra funding required for all the wiring, ducting and builder work to the house.

[Rick Fisher]

I live in Canada and would probably buy an ALKO 250 as a first choice. The big advantage for a Canadian to an indoor unit is heating. How cold is it in your area ? Or hot ?

Paying to heat or cool a shop and then removing 3000 cubic feet of air per minute is frustrating for someone in a 600sf shop.

http://tfzje.zqejf.servertrust.com/P...wer-Unit-250-P

Bit more money, bit bigger motor. 250mm intake. Quieter and hepa.. Runs inside ..

[Albert Lee]

I live in Canada and would probably buy an ALKO 250 as a first choice. The big advantage for a Canadian to an indoor unit is heating. How cold is it in your area ? Or hot ?

Paying to heat or cool a shop and then removing 3000 cubic feet of air per minute is frustrating for someone in a 600sf shop.

http://tfzje.zqejf.servertrust.com/P...wer-Unit-250-P

Bit more money, bit bigger motor. 250mm intake. Quieter and hepa.. Runs inside ..

hi Rick, thanks for that, I have come across al-ko while searching the dust extractor, but they are not available in New Zealand, big money there are, probably the best on the market...

temperature wise , annual average is 64 Fahrenheit, 32 would be very cold days probably 2-3 days a year at its coldest time of the day(during daytime it will be 40), hottest would not be over 80.

[Justin Ludwig]

I"m curious as to what application either of these units would be used for in such a small space? At first glance, by an ignorant eye (mine), it seems overkill.

[Albert Lee]

hi Justin, I have a 37 wide belt sander, a combination machine that comes with 16" planer, a chisel mortiser that cuts long rectangular mortise (doesnt need a lot of suck) I am running a small production from my small workshop.

wanted the upgrade because I am frustrated with my existing extractor, its a high volume low pressure baghouse unit, when the pressure loss is high, ie restrictions, the volumn drops significantly.

[Jeff Duncan]

Hi Jeff I guess the question is that does the Felders extra filter area worth the 2k?

Also the Unimaster has an explosion relief panel, Donaldson Torit strongly recommends the unit to be placed outside, because if there is an explosion, the positive pressure may cause damage to my workshop. Probably a good thing but it just meant extra funding required for all the wiring, ducting and builder work to the house.

Well you mention having it outside as your "ultimate goal", so I would't count those extra costs against the Torit as they've be the same for either unit. And if that's your goal, which by the way I agree with, then those costs are a moot point. Now if your collector is outside and your climate allows for it I would leave the filters outside as well. If you can do that then you don't have to worry about the extra filter area of the Felder. Though if we're going to look at it practically, if you could leave it outside you wouldn't need to spend anywhere that kind of money for either of these units! A much simpler unit would do just as well. If however you do need the air to return, then maybe the filter area becomes an issue. However, I would be more concerned with which unit filters better, than which filters more. IOW which will provide the cleanest air return. Then you can decide if there is a real difference and how much that difference is worth monetarily.

good luck,
JeffD

[David Kumm]

Albert, in that mild climate is exhausting outside a possibility? You are talking about commercial size units for commercial sized shops that must recirculate the air. A cyclone located outside would exhaust almost clean air directly and could be bypassed back into the shop with cartridges in extreme weather. The WB wouldn't rely much on the cartridges and the whole thing would be way less than half the cost. Dave

[Albert Lee]

hi David, I am reluctant to exhaust outside, Donaldson Torit local rep commented the fine dust generated by timber is not permitted by council, and to comply I may need to submit a resource consent which will cost thousands of dollars.

thats why I am inclined to the filter bag unit.

I probably endup where I started, an indoor Dantherm/Nederman S series unit, 2nd hand cost about half of new.

[Michael W. Clark]

Albert, is replacing the fan on your existing unit an option?

[Albert Lee]

Well you mention having it outside as your "ultimate goal", so I would't count those extra costs against the Torit as they've be the same for either unit. And if that's your goal, which by the way I agree with, then those costs are a moot point. Now if your collector is outside and your climate allows for it I would leave the filters outside as well. If you can do that then you don't have to worry about the extra filter area of the Felder. Though if we're going to look at it practically, if you could leave it outside you wouldn't need to spend anywhere that kind of money for either of these units! A much simpler unit would do just as well. If however you do need the air to return, then maybe the filter area becomes an issue. However, I would be more concerned with which unit filters better, than which filters more. IOW which will provide the cleanest air return. Then you can decide if there is a real difference and how much that difference is worth monetarily.

good luck,
JeffD

Well Jeff Although it's ultimate goal one of the aim is they need to be quiet, not sure if the cheaper units are quieter? Need to research on this. If they are louder outdoor which may upset he neighbour then I may still have to place it inside.

[Albert Lee]

Albert, is replacing the fan on your existing unit an option?

am researching this too, it seems the setup is adequate just the impeller needs to be replaced to a reverse inclined impeller rather than the existing radial impeller.

[David Kumm]

am researching this too, it seems the setup is adequate just the impeller needs to be replaced to a reverse inclined impeller rather than the existing radial impeller.

Albert, are you talking about the unit with the slow rpm motor? The radial fan will deliver more cfm at pressure than a curved but not at that speed. Neither will unless run faster. The system you showed us before with a 2800 rpm motor will work well. Dave

[Albert Lee]

Hi David yes thats the one I am talking about.
We are not very industrious here, I have a few options

1. Replace the motor, use existing impeller.
a local motor specialist commented to have that impeller moving at close to 3000RPM I need a much bigger motor, everything on a bigger motor is different to a 4kw, therefore modification is required to the motor and the mount, which all cost $$$, it will quickly spiral into thousands of dollars, I dont mind to spend the money but what if it doesnt work at the end of it?

2. Use existing motor, replace the impeller
will have to import a reverse inclined impeller, possibly from US, Australia may have them, again, it may not work.

3. leave as is, onsell it.
There is nothing wrong with my extractor just not suitable for my application.
I've bought my extractor + 40' of 6" + 20' 8" spiral ducting + bends for under $1000 USD, knowing the market here it is likely I can sell them for a profit